Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½

Deaf Studies

Become equipped to work with Deaf learners in both schools for the Deaf and inclusive education environments.

Overview

South Africa has approximately 600,000 Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, yet there remains a severe shortage of educators trained to work with Deaf learners in both special and inclusive school settings.

This specialisation, supported by the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Centre for Deaf Studies, develops the advanced knowledge and research capability needed to lead Deaf Education practice and policy at a time when the country's inclusive education framework is being actively strengthened.

Career Opportunities

Graduates in this field are prepared to support and advance inclusive education for Deaf learners through a range of specialised and impactful roles, including:

  • Specialist teacher/educator in Deaf Education
  • Educational advisor for inclusive education of Deaf learners
  • Advocacy and policy development
  • Research in Deaf Education
  • Pathway to MEd/PhD or an academic career

Curriculum

Compulsory Core Modules:

  • Research Design
  • Research Project 
  • Educational Theory Research & Enquiry 
  • Deaf Education 1
  • Deaf Education 2 
  • isiZulu in Education, and related courses. Specialised endorsement on certificate.

Entry Requirements

  • Senior Certificate/NSC with 4-yr education diploma equivalent;

  • OR matriculation endorsement/NSC + 3-yr diploma in education + 3 yrs experience + portfolio.

Additional entry requirements may apply.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ applications process. Refer to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ postgraduate online application guide for detailed guidelines. 
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the .
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities.  The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies.  The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.